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Gibbs says he wasn't consulted about change

Former Redskins coach and team president Joe Gibbs said Sunday night that he was not consulted about the decision to remove former executive vice president of football operations Vinny Cerrato and replace him with general manager Bruce Allen, adding that he did not foresee a role for him with the franchise in the future.

Gibbs said before Sunday night's game against the Dallas Cowboys at FedEx Field that he regularly talks to owner Daniel M. Snyder, but not about substantive issues about the team.

"For me, personally, I haven't talked to Dan about major decisions or anything," Gibbs said. "So for me, when I talk to him, it's kind of a friend. We talked. So for me, I just know that he has a burning passion for the team and he's going to try to do what's right, and so for all of us, the rest of us as Redskins fans, we hope all the decisions and everything he's going to make -- whatever they may be, I'm not aware of them -- I think we all hope that they're going to turn out best for the Redskins."

Gibbs, who retired following the 2007 season to complete his second tenure as the team's coach, spoke in the press box to remember legendary Washington sportscaster George Michael, who died last week of cancer. Gibbs spoke warmly of his conversations with Michael, saying, "Every time I talked to him, he would encourage me. ... He just had great courage through the whole thing."

Gibbs, though, seemed to indicate that he saw why change needed to be made with his former franchise. He also said his involvement with the NASCAR teams he owns and his family situation -- grandson Taylor is fighting leukemia -- mean he won't return.

"I think with me and all I've got going with my family and everything in Charlotte and with all the racing, it's extremely hard for me," Gibbs said. "I'm gone. I think Dan knows that. We talk, we talk as friends."

Gibbs was asked what he would say to second-year Redskins coach Jim Zorn, who replaced him two seasons ago. He spoke of the difficulties of being an NFL head coach, but did not endorse his successor.

"I'm hoping that everything works out for Coach Zorn," Gibbs said. "He's a heck of a person. So hopefully, that's what happens for him, but I think he knows he's in the coaching profession. He knows how tough it is, and it's an extremely tough job to have."

Gibbs stood up for his record when he worked with Cerrato from 2004-08, but said Snyder's move was understandable with someone who had worked so long in the same organization.

"Vinny and I, I felt like, had a great working relationship," Gibbs said. "I think when I worked with him, I think we were real comfortable with each other. I go all the way back to our very first free agency group that we brought in here. I was proud of our drafts. But I also know that things certainly can happen in an organization and it's hard for somebody to stay a real long time. I think it's just one of those things that I think the decision was made to go in a different direction."

But Gibbs said he would not be part of shaping that new direction. He said he was not consulted on any of the changes that have been -- or will be -- made.

"I don't think I should have been," Gibbs said. "I'm not here. I'm gone. And so I don't think that was my place. I think Dan and the other people that he's conferring with to make those decisions, I think that's the right way to make it. They're here all the time, spending all their time with it. I think that's the way it should be, so I don't think I should have been."

I find it hard to square Riggo's concept that Synder has a 'dark heart' with the idea that Gibbs is willing to speak to him.
St. Joe might not have won another trip to the HOF with 2.0, but he's always been a real forceful, positive person.

The question is does AH ask for a breather or does he get pulled as part of the defensive rotation. Maybe the insider can find out instead of stirring up crap. Why should Gibbs be consulted I believe he quit last year.

I don't believe the rumor that Zorn has been telling him to throw on three seconds, and everytime he trots off the field he says "well, I counted -- one mississippi, two mississippi, three mississippi".

Asking Mr. Gibbs if he's had any say in any changes, asking if he's been asked for his advice/suggestions isn't starting contoversy; it's a legitimate question. Everyone knows that there's a good working and personal relationship between Mr. Snyder and Mr. Gibbs. People would be complaining here if the story mentioned Mr. Gibbs being at the game (probably in Mr. Snyder's box) and hsi not being asked if he had input or was asked for his advice. You can't win.

That said, I can see asking Mr. his advice based on his experience both in the league and with the team, and I can not asking because it's got to be a management decision and Mr. Gibbs took himself out of management when he resigned as team president.

Interesting how many people, in another thread, are complaining about Mr. Snyder "pulling the trigger" with three weeks left in the season, why he couldn't wait until the season was over (before bringing in Bruce Allen) and not upset the team. Where are all those people who said "the day they got rid of Vinny was the greatest day of my life"? Have to wonder what kind of life they have if that's the greatest day of their life, but now the same people are complaining that bringing in Mr. Allen is disruptive?

Sonny Jurgensen had a great suggestion; if Albert Haynesworth wants to do "his thing", then they should put him in for and keep him in for every defensive play. And if he wants to come out, turn him around and tell him he's staying in and playing. Mr. Haynesworth wants to do his thing, he thinks there needs to be leadership, let him stay out there the entire game and do his thing and lead.

GTF out of town? It doesn't seem very many people on the field are helping him anymore than they have most games this season. How about suggesting some other players do their job instead of the "GTF" suggestion?

this game is still winnable if we get the achor from around our necks.... Zorn send Campbell's a$$ home at halftime since you like making statements...obviously nothing was accomplished in that meeting

At 4-9, who would you want to put in? You still have to consider that Jason Campbell may be part of next season's team (as a restricted free agent); aren't you better letting him play as much as possible than bringing in Todd Collins? or do you think that there's a future for the Redskins with Todd Collins as quarterback?

As an aside, about 77 percent of all Campbell passes are within 10 yards of the line of scrimmage. Don't you think that has something to do with the person calling the offensive plays? That is, the throwing plays? (Because the running plays are called by another coach, only after the first coach decides he's not going to call a throwing play.)

And, considering the lead play caller doesn't talk to the quarterback during the week, how can you expect the quarterback to be on the same page, the same play, as the coach?

I don't believe here's been more than one throw more than 10 yards from the line of scrimmage so far. Want to blame the quarterback? Then first give him time to take more than a couple steps back; let him get six or seven steps back like other quarterbacks do. But since the line doesn't get him any time to set up a play or let a play set up, it's hard to blame the quarterback.

77% of passes under 10 yards... thats because when they call a down field pass he won't throw it. He'll just pump it6 f' ing times. he is the worst and you have no chance to win with him... nice job by blache again not pressuring up the middle. off season please hurry up

A few thoughts:
Could Shanahan play Snyder's pocketbook off Jerry Jones to get the job he wants (Dallas) with the salary he wants?

If Shanahan comes here, would he use the Denver running scheme using legal but quasi-moral blocks?

If Shanahan does want to use that running scheme, which requires sully a complete overhaul of the O-line to emphasize speed over power, would the SKins be a more attractive team precisely because their O-line is in a shambles and closer to being overhauled?

"I think Dan and the other people that he's conferring with to make those decisions, I think that's the right way to make it. They're here all the time, spending all their time with it."
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Dan Snyder "spending all [his] time with it" guarantees that the suckiness will keep going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going.......

Defensive coordinator Greg Blatche needs to be fired. How in the hell do you see your defense continue to get beat and allow your CB to play ten yards down the field to allow running backs to chew up more than half of the playing field.

Worst, Mr. Blatche failed to blitz Romo to cause turnovers in a crucial rivalry. What type of coach sits back and watches the players make dumb mistake after mistake on defense.

The safeties and cornerbacks are so caught up on delivering a big hit that they don't see the ball well enough to make an interception. I saw the ball overthrown several times, however; our defensive backs and safeties were too busy trying to impress the makers of Madden 2011 video game.

Finally, the offense made plays but failed to produce a scoring drive. Clearly Jason Campbell overthrew many people and stopped scoring drives on every posession. On every other play; the offensive line was beat to death and played with no heart. Randle El was finally put in at the end of the 4th quarter to play the slot receiver- but it didn't matter- we were already down by 17 points. Therefore, the entire coaches staff on the offensive besides Coach Bugel needs to be fired!!